Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL)

On text books: you may photocopy parts of them, it is illegal to copy the book *winks*, or buy from local students On household items: 4 words: cheap Chinese corner store On computers: University has a lot; mall has a lot; residence has some; internet is good On health: cheaper than America; on par with Europe; ludicrously more expensive than the Philippines, don't get sick. Bed bugs still exist in Europe... be sure to check the sheets so as to not contract hives or allergies because Benadryl is not sold in drugstores... On the bank: You have to get a NIF (Numero de Identificacao Fiscal) from the Loja do Cidadao before opening an account. Here you need a Portuguese citizen to accompany you. On money from home: Western Union has partnered with Correios, a local mail company, so all transfers are to be received there. Be sure to bring your passport and transaction number. Cost-saving: Buy any ERASMUS card at the start of your stay to waive bar/club/disco entrance fees. Rotate cooking for many people amongst your flatmates/floormates. It is a cultural experience and is also affordable for everyone. Buy non-perishables in bulk. Eat at the university cafeteria (quick fix). Subscribe to the European sandwich culture (eat sandwiches...) Avail of a Metro/bus card (amount of monthly deposit is your prerogative based on your needs) Again, buy an Erasmus card for cheaper tours to other cities and countries.

The uni. residence is relatively close to all the university faculties (it is within the campus grounds that house the Law, Statistics and Economics faculties). Lisbon is a walking city, so unless you study at the science faculty on the other side of the river. I suggest you avail of the accommodations at the Residencia Alfredo de Sousa for convenience's sake. You will get to not only meet Portuguese residents here, but also other exchange students (from North and South America, Australasia and Africa). Living in this dormitory was indeed a great cultural experience. There never was a dull night whenever I stayed in the dorm. The residence committee also organizes in-house parties. Security and service is extremely efficient and amiable to boot (but you must speak Portuguese or get a friend to mediate). The Wifi is VERY STRONG (note that Koreans, Taiwanese and Singaporeans will find this comment laughable :D). The residence also boasts the cheapest meal available for those on a tighter budget (2.15 Euros a meal!). As far as the peripheral establishments are concerned, there is a bus stop just outside the residence. 2 Metro/underground train stations are also within walking distance. For those who love to shop, there are 2 malls that are within walking distance: the El Corte Ingles department store, and Amoreiras Shopping Center, both of which have their respective Metro stations. Overall, I really recommend that you accept the offer of the Erasmus office to stay in this residence if you do not have the luxury of immediately finding flat-mates who eventually should share in your rent expense. Ideally, you will only do this for the initial semester. Afterwards, go hunting for flats for your 2nd semester to be more liberated. By this time, you would not have only been exposed to the daily grind of life, but would also be able to AVOID the hassles met by your peers who decided to get a flat for the first semester of ERASMUS.

If you want to get to know to a very special country which lives to some extension in the past and which has to struggle with the modern times, theres´s no better way to experience it. Travelling in Portugal (there are good and cheap possibilities by bus or train) is really a adventure.